A fisherman in Mexico was recently beheaded by a 16foot great white shark while diving for axegut, a scalloplike mollusk.
Fisherman Manuel Nieblas López was attacked in Tobari Bay on the Gulf of California, Mexico while collecting shellfish at a depth of about 15 meters. Two other fishermen on a support boat saw the shark “rip off its head and bit both shoulders in an impressive manner.”
Experts note that while sharks rarely bite humans, when they do, they typically grab the legs or torso after mistaking the person for prey, then release the victim after realizing the mistake. A shark biting a person’s head or shoulders is extremely rare, making López’s attack an unusual occurrence.
Sharks don’t have very good eyesight, making it difficult for them to distinguish between common prey and humans. Experts believe López’s fishing activities likely played a role in tricking the shark into believing it was prey.
The smell of shellfish concentrated around the diver “might have lured the shark to the area,” and its position on the seabed “might make it look like a sea lion looking for food.” “Misidentity” is probably the main reason why the shark attacked López.
Fishermen have been advised to avoid fishing in the area due to increased shark activity in December and January, when pregnant female sharks invade the area. López’s position on the sea floor could explain why the shark attacked its head and shoulders, since that was the most accessible part of its anatomy. The shark may have gone upside down on purpose “to quickly incapacitate suspected prey.”
Although some reports suggest that López could have avoided the attack had he worn a colorful wetsuit to stand out from the Seals, experts are unconvinced by these claims. They note that it is difficult to test this hypothesis as most wetsuits are black or dark colored and there is no way to statistically say if there is a trend or not.
In most cases, it is difficult to discern a shark’s motivation without detailed information about the situation prior to the bite. Experts suggest that “whether it’s for fish or invertebrates like scallops or lobsters, whenever someone is fishing, sharks are drawn to the smells in the water and the vibrations of the fighting animals.”
Source: LiveScience.